German Public Transport
If you are staying in a German-speaking country, you will probably use public transport. Buses, trains, and trams are often the easiest way to get around, especially in cities like Berlin, Munich, or Vienna.
In this article, we teach you the most important German words and phrases you need when using public transport. Let’s begin with the most common vocabulary.
Public Transport Vocabulary
Here are some general German words that relate to taking public transport in Germany:
Common Phrases
You might also want to remember some of these phrases:
Where is the nearest subway station?
Does this bus go to the main train station?
I would like to buy a ticket.
How much does a day ticket cost?
Buying Tickets in German
In many cities, you can buy tickets at a machine or online. Some machines have English, but not all. It helps to know a few key phrases and words.
There are different types of tickets:
Always check if your ticket needs to be validated before boarding. You usually validate it at a small yellow or blue machine next to the entrance.
But you can also always ask. Here are some questions:
Do I need to validate the ticket?
Where can I buy a ticket?
Are there discounts for students?
Using the Right Direction and Line
In Germany, it’s important to know which Linie (line) and which Richtung (direction) you need.
Each subway or tram line has a number or a letter, and you can check the direction by looking at the final station name.
Which direction does this tram go?
I need to go in the direction of the city center.
Which line goes to Charlottenburg?
Summary
Using public transport in Germany is easy and safe — if you know the right words.
If you want more helpful German for everyday life, have a look at our other guides and lessons.
